Utility of Indices of Gun Availability in the Community

This study estimated the degree to which the proportion of firearm homicides & suicides is associated with reported availability of guns across Chicago, Illinois neighbourhoods. The study used data from 837 participants between the ages of 17 & 22, residing in 170 different neighbourhoods. A 10% change in the proportion of firearm homicides in a neighbourhood was associated with a 20% increase in both odds of reported gun access & reported gun carrying. The proportion of firearm-related suicides was not associated with either of these self-reported measures. (31 refs.)